Education
UC Davis School of Law, J.D. 2006
UC Davis Law Review, Editor-in-Chief Business Law Journal
UCLA, B.A. 2003
Phi Beta Kappa
Practice Areas
Whistleblower and False Claims Act Litigation
Business and Tort Litigation
Employment Law
Real Estate Litigation
Language
English
John is a trial lawyer and founding partner of the firm. Since 2006, John has represented hundreds of individuals, companies, and government agencies in legal disputes. He has helped obtain multi-million-dollar verdicts and has successfully defended companies and individuals in high-stakes arbitrations and trials.
In 2019, after a two-week jury trial, John delivered the closing arguments that helped secure a jury verdict in favor of his client in a rare, high-profile federal whistleblower case, which resulted in a verdict in favor of the firm's client. John also recently successfully defended one of the largest chicken suppliers in world in a trucking collision case in which the plaintiff was seeking more than $50 million. His work has earned him recognition by his peers as a Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” and as a “Super Lawyer.” It has also earned him and the firm a roster of clients that includes prominent companies such as Airbnb, Peco Foods, and Korn Ferry.
John is devoted to serving his community. He sits on the boards of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Advancing Justice Southern California, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association (VABA). He has also served as the President and Vice President of the Board of Transportation for the City of Los Angeles.
Obtained full jury verdict for client in $33 million federal qui tam case after two-week trial
Obtained summary judgment for Peco Foods in trucking accident case in which plaintiff was seeking more than $50 million in damages
Obtained summary judgment for Korn Ferry in breach of contract and trade secret case in which plaintiff was seeking more than $100 million in damages
Secured $1 million judgment in favor auto parts shipper in breach of contract dispute
Obtained summary judgment in both federal and state court in favor of student in defamation and computer hacking case
Obtained dismissal of former Lehman Brothers’ brokers in a multi-million-dollar securities fraud action
Successfully defended three sole source contracts issued by the County of Los Angeles against challenges over violation of competitive bidding laws
Secured workplace restraining order for Hooman Automotive Group against former employee
Secured workplace restraining order for Diamond Resorts against former employee
Defended County of Los Angeles against constitutional challenges to ordinance requiring condom use in the filming of pornographic movies
Represented criminal defendant in 52-count federal case involving accusations of racketeering, wire fraud, and bribery
Secured favorable settlement for Los Angeles Unified School District in a $40 million contract dispute over the construction of Helen Bernstein High School
Secured favorable settlement for the Los Angeles Unified School District in a $20 million contract dispute over the construction of Arleta High School
Secured favorable settlement for accountant in lawsuit involving fraudulent transfer claims arising out of bankruptcy
Secured favorable settlement for Hooman Automotive Group in connection with acquisition of gas station
Secured settlement and administrative recovery of over $800,000 in PACE-related litigation
Secured dismissal of client in anti-SLAPP motion alleging attempted extortion
Obtained summary judgment for County of Los Angeles and dismissal of County Supervisors in First Amendment retaliation lawsuit brought by healthcare contractor
Obtained $28 million dollar judgment for Nicholas Holdings after 12-day trial in a loan dispute
Secured dismissal of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in a multi-million-dollar copyright dispute involving the children’s movie, “Santa Buddies"
Board Member, Asian Americans Advancing Justice SoCal
Board Member, Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Board Member, Vietnamese American Bar Association (VABA)
Former Board Member, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA)
Former City Commissioner, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (President and Vice President)